Joan T. (Brunelle) Clifford, 55, of 11 Ledyard Road, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, in UMass Memorial Hospital after a long courageous battle with leukemia.

   She leaves her son, Matthew J. Clifford of Paxton; her mother, Ann R. (Brown) Brunelle of Paxton; a brother, Robert D. Brunelle of Paxton; three sisters, Judith A. Gahan – Spaulding and her husband Francis H. Spaulding of Millbury, Susan G. Walker of Manchester, NH and Anne M. Flanagan of Worcester; nephews and nieces and grandnephews and grandnieces. She was born and raised in Worcester, the daughter of the late Robert V. Brunelle.

   Joan was a graduate of Marion High School and attended Quinsigamond Community College. She started her career as an operator with N. E. Telephone Co. and retired recently as a Network Engineer for Verizon after 35 years. She was a member of St. Columba Church and was a Eucharistic Minister. She enjoyed gardening, shopping and spending time with family and friends.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 21st, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A gathering of family and friends for Joan will also be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Columba Church, 18 Richards Ave., Paxton. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joan's memory be made to the Walk to Cure Cancer, 1 Biotech, 365 Plantation St., Suite 100, Worcester, MA 01605-2395.